Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)

Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) at Pokhara Engineering College

Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) at Pokhara Engineering College is a five-year undergraduate architecture program affiliated with Pokhara University. The program is organized across ten semesters and requires 150 credit hours of coursework, project work, practical office experience, and thesis study. It has 48 seats at PEC.

The curriculum combines architectural design with building materials, graphics, modeling, structures, building construction, building services, architectural history, computer-aided design, landscape architecture, settlement planning, estimating and valuation, management, and professional office exposure. Architectural design develops progressively from Basic Design in the opening year to the Architectural Design VII Thesis in the final semester.

Course overview

The five-year structure gives architecture students time to move from basic visual and design studies to building technology, structural subjects, construction detailing, urban and settlement planning, office experience, and a final architectural thesis.

What students study in B.Arch

The program combines design, culture, science, and technology within architecture. Its academic coverage extends from individual building design and construction details to broader areas such as urban design and landscape architecture.

Students encounter architectural graphics and modeling from the first semester. Design remains a continuous part of the program, beginning with Basic Design I and II before progressing through Architectural Design I to VII.

The curriculum also includes subjects that support the technical side of architecture, including structures, building science, building services, construction, surveying, working drawings, estimating, and computer-aided design.

Eligibility for Bachelor of Architecture

Applicants can meet the stated B.Arch eligibility through either of the following academic routes:

• minimum C grade in all subjects at 10+2 Secondary Level; or

• I.Sc., 10+2 Science, I.E., or an equivalent qualification with Second Division or above from a university or board recognized by Pokhara University.

Admission process

Pokhara University undergraduate admission includes application submission, an entrance examination, merit-based selection, and enrollment.

Applicants submit personal and academic information along with supporting documents such as academic transcripts, citizenship certificates, and passport-sized photographs. Admission proceeds according to entrance performance, merit ranking, and seat availability.

Pokhara Engineering College has 48 seats for the Bachelor of Architecture program.

B.Arch curriculum and academic progression

The curriculum develops in stages rather than separating design from technical subjects. Architectural design continues alongside structures, construction, history, building science, planning, and computer-based drawing.

Semesters I and II: design and visual foundations

The opening year introduces students to the language and basic tools of architecture.

Major subjects include:

• Mathematics I and II

• Building Materials

• Architecture Modeling

• Architectural Graphics I and II

• Introduction to Architecture

• Basic Design I and II

• Communication Techniques

• Computer and Programming

• Photography

These subjects establish the drawing, modeling, communication, mathematical, and design foundations required for later architectural work.

Semesters III and IV: architecture, construction, and design development

The next stage introduces a wider combination of architectural, structural, historical, and technical studies.

Subjects include:

• Structural Forms

• Surveying

• Building Science I

• Visual Arts

• History of Western Architecture

• Architectural Design I

• Statics and Dynamics

• Computer Aided Design I

• Building Services I

• Building Construction I

• History of Eastern Architecture

• Architectural Design II

This phase connects design work with an understanding of buildings as physical structures shaped by materials, services, construction techniques, history, and context.

Semesters V and VI: structures, construction, landscape, and design

The middle years move further into technical and design integration.

The curriculum includes:

• Structure I and II

• Computer Aided Design II

• Building Construction II and III

• Architectural Elective I

• History of Nepalese Architecture

• Architectural Design III

• Building Science II

• Landscape Architecture

• History of Modern Architecture

• Architectural Design IV

The inclusion of Nepalese, Western, Eastern, and Modern architectural history gives students several historical contexts alongside design and construction studies. Landscape Architecture adds another scale of spatial planning beyond the individual building.

Semester VII: detailing and settlement planning

The seventh semester includes subjects such as:

• Structure III

• Working Drawings & Detailing

• Settlement Planning

• Architectural Elective II

• Architectural Design V

Working Drawings & Detailing shifts attention toward the technical documentation needed to communicate architectural designs, while Settlement Planning expands study from individual structures to the arrangement and planning of settlements.

Semester VIII: practical office experience

The eighth semester is assigned to Practical Office Experience carrying 15 credits.

This semester creates a dedicated period within the academic program for students to experience architecture-related office work outside the normal sequence of classroom subjects and design studios.

Final-year study

The final year returns to advanced design, technical study, management, and thesis work.

Semester IX

Subjects include:

• Structure IV

• Architectural Elective III

• Estimating and Valuation

• Directed Studies & Seminar

• Building Services II

• Architectural Design VI

Estimating and Valuation introduces the cost-related side of building work, while Building Services II continues the technical study of building systems. Directed Studies & Seminar adds an academic component before the final thesis semester.

Semester X

The tenth semester contains:

• Management & Economics

• Architects & Society

• Architectural Design VII Thesis

Architectural Design VII Thesis carries 10 credits. It forms the final design stage after the sequence that begins with Basic Design and progresses through successive architectural design studios.

Design as the central academic sequence

Design is present throughout the five-year program.

Students begin with Basic Design I and II before progressing through:

• Architectural Design I

• Architectural Design II

• Architectural Design III

• Architectural Design IV

• Architectural Design V

• Architectural Design VI

• Architectural Design VII Thesis

This sequence allows design study to develop alongside technical subjects rather than being confined to a single year.

As students advance, their accompanying subjects change from graphics, modeling, and introductory architecture to structures, building construction, CAD, building services, landscape architecture, settlement planning, detailing, estimating, management, and thesis work.

Practical and technical components

B.Arch is not structured only around theoretical lectures. Several parts of the curriculum involve visual, technical, design, and practical work.

These include:

• Architecture Modeling

• Architectural Graphics

• Basic Design

• Photography

• Surveying

• Computer Aided Design

• Architectural Design studios

• Working Drawings & Detailing

• Practical Office Experience

• Directed Studies & Seminar

• Architectural Design VII Thesis

The eighth-semester Practical Office Experience is particularly distinct because an entire 15-credit semester is assigned to office-based experience.

Academic areas covered

The program develops study across several connected areas:

• architectural design;

• building materials;

• architectural graphics and modeling;

• building construction;

• structures;

• building science;

• building services;

• computer-aided design;

• architectural history;

• landscape architecture;

• settlement planning;

• working drawings and detailing;

• estimating and valuation;

• management and economics; and

• architectural thesis work.

The combination means students work with both the conceptual and technical sides of architecture throughout the degree.

Architecture study facilities at PEC

Pokhara Engineering College has laboratories for its engineering and architecture programs. Its architecture laboratories operate within the college's technical laboratory provision.

The college library contains more than 14,000 textbooks and reference books and also provides technical journals and digital library resources. Internet access is available through a 35 Mbps broadband leased line and Wi-Fi zones.

These facilities support the drawing, computer-based, technical, reference, design, and research activities associated with the B.Arch curriculum.

Who may consider B.Arch?

B.Arch may suit students whose academic interests include design, drawing, buildings, spatial planning, construction, visual communication, and the relationship between technical requirements and architectural form.

Students should also be prepared for subjects beyond design. Mathematics, structures, surveying, building science, construction, building services, estimating, management, historical study, computer-aided design, office experience, and thesis work are all part of the five-year academic sequence.

The course therefore requires sustained engagement with both creative design work and technical building studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is B.Arch at Pokhara Engineering College?

Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year program organized across ten semesters under Pokhara University.

How many credits are required for B.Arch?

Students must complete 150 credit hours covering coursework, project work, practical office experience, and thesis requirements.

How many seats are available for B.Arch at PEC?

Pokhara Engineering College has 48 seats for the Bachelor of Architecture program.

What is the eligibility for B.Arch?

Applicants may qualify with a minimum C grade in all subjects at 10+2 Secondary Level, or through I.Sc., 10+2 Science, I.E., or an equivalent qualification with Second Division or above from a university or board recognized by Pokhara University.

Does B.Arch include practical office experience?

Yes. Semester VIII contains Practical Office Experience carrying 15 credits.

Does the program include computer-aided design?

Yes. Computer Aided Design I is included in Semester IV and Computer Aided Design II in Semester V.

Does B.Arch include landscape and settlement planning?

Yes. Landscape Architecture appears in Semester VI, while Settlement Planning is included in Semester VII.

Is there a thesis in the B.Arch program?

Yes. The tenth semester includes Architectural Design VII Thesis, carrying 10 credits.